Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
4-7
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or area
of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.If you have the Traction Control System (TCS),
remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration skid. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10.Ifyou
do not have this system, or if the system is off, then an
acceleration skid is also best handled by easing
your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored surface — and
slow down when you have any doubt.
If you have the anti-lock braking system (ABS),
remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do
not have ABS, then in a braking skid, where the
wheels are no longer rolling, release enough pressure
on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This
restores steering control. Push the brake pedal down
steadily when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the
wheels are rolling, you will have steering control.
4-15
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They will not
work as well in a quick stop and may cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a vehicle wash, apply your brake pedal
lightly until your brakes work normally.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing
on the road. If you can see reflections from trees,
telephone poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops dimple
the water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine’s air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If
you cannot avoid deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
4-19
Loading Your Vehicle
There is a vehicle specific GVW Rating label on your
vehicle that shows how much weight it may properly
carry. It also shows the size of your original tires and the
inflation pressures needed to obtain the gross weight
capacity of your vehicle. This is called the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel and cargo.The GVW Rating label is provided by the final
manufacturer and should be on the door or door jamb.
It also tells you the maximum weights for the front
and rear axles, called Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). To find out the actual loads on your front and
rear axles, you need to go to a weigh station and
weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help you with this.
Be sure to spread out your load equally on both
sides of the center line.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the GAWR
for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it out.
4-32
Other Service Items........................................5-66
Fuel Filter....................................................5-66
Primary Fuel Filter and Water Separator..........5-67
Secondary Fuel Filter and Water Separator/
Heater (Caterpillar
®Diesel)..........................5-68
Automatic Ether Injection System
(Caterpillar
®Diesel)....................................5-68
Front Wheel Bearings with Oil-Filled Hubs........5-69
Air Conditioning System.................................5-70
Tires..............................................................5-70
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-71
Wheel Loading.............................................5-71
Dual Tire Operation.......................................5-72
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-72
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-73
Tightening the Wheel Nuts.............................5-73
Wheel Replacement......................................5-77
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-78
Appearance Care............................................5-79
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.................5-80
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-81
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces........................................5-82
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-82
Weatherstrips...............................................5-82Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-83
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-83
Finish Care..................................................5-83
Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................5-84
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels................5-84
Tires...........................................................5-85
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-85
Finish Damage.............................................5-85
Underbody Maintenance................................5-85
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-85
Vehicle Identi cation......................................5-87
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).................5-87
Service Statement.........................................5-87
Service Parts Identification Label.....................5-88
Electrical System............................................5-88
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-88
Headlamp Wiring..........................................5-88
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................5-88
Fusible Links................................................5-89
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-89
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-89
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-89
Underhood Fuse Block..................................5-92
Capacities and Speci cations..........................5-95
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........5-100
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2
Air Conditioning System
Every now and then, have your dealership check your
air conditioning system to be sure it has not lost
any cooling ability. If you think the system is not working
properly, have your GM dealer check it out as soon
as possible.
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your GM Warranty booklet for details. For additional
information refer to the tire manufacturer’s booklet
included with your vehicle’s Owner Manual.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-32.
Underin ated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be
checked when your tires are cold. See
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-71.
Overin ated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact —such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.
5-70